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Porsche and Jaguar lead charge for hybrid supercars

Supercar makers DO care about the environment, which is why hybrids like the upcoming Jaguar hybrid super car and the Porsche 918 Spyder (pictured) are being made. Photo: David Villareal Fernandez/Flickr.com/CC-BY-SA

Apparently a jaguar can change its spots. Though cars made by mainline manufacturers are “going green” at a fast rate, many assumed supercar manufacturers would never forgo gas guzzling to placate the environmentally conscious. That’s far from the case, as hybrid supercars are going to become commonplace fairly soon.

Hybrid Jaguar will drive rings around Prius

One of the most talked-about upcoming cars is the hybrid Jaguar supercar that is supposed to be hitting dealerships in 2013, according to MotorTrend. The Jaguar C-X75 hybrid supercar is a green monster; drivers who can afford the $1 million-plus price tag can weave through traffic, manhandle curves while saving the planet. The car is being developed in conjunction with race company Williams F1. The C-X75 is projected to go from 0 to 60 in less than 3 seconds, have an all-electric range of 33 miles and a pleasant 55.2 miles per gallon. The car will be powered by two high-power electric motors located in the front and rear of the vehicle, effectively making it four wheel drive. For extended range, the powertrain will also have a highly-tuned 1.6 liter gas engine.

Plenty of reason to love a Spyder

The other hybrid supercar set to debut soon is the Porsche 918 Spyder. The 918 Spyder, distinct from Porsche’s flagship 911 sportscar, is entering into production and Porsche, according to the BBC, is currently taking orders for interested buyers. However, just like the Jaguar hybrid, it will cost more than $1 million to get one. Porsche already makes a hybrid version of the Cayenne crossover and the Panamera S, Porsche’s sports sedan, but the 918 is an entirely different animal. The Spyder, according to Wikipedia, uses a 3.4 liter V8 along with three electric motors. It is capable of a combined mileage of 78 miles per gallon, while boasting 718 horsepower and a zero to 60 time of about 3.2 seconds. Drivers can select four different drive options, three of which engage the hybrid system. There is also a hybrid Porsche GT3R track car.

Upcoming cars that save the planet at high speed

There are plenty of other hybrid supercars and electric supercars in the works. The Ferrari HY-KERS hybrid supercar concept has been in the press fairly frequently. BMW, according to BusinessWeek, is going to unveil its own hybrid supercar, the BMW i8, along with an all-electric city car in the near future. Whether it will be based on the scary-fast M series remains to be seen. Porsche is going to expand into all-electric models as well as its already growing hybrid line, and many other makers will as well.